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Acess and
Disability Issues
Since the passage
of The Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, The Pennsylvania State University
has had numerous opportunities to reiterate its long standing commitment to
making its programs, services, and activities accessible to individuals with
disabilities.
Over the past
four years, the University Access Committee (UAC) has provided leadership in
developing an access plan under the Americans With Disabilities Act. Through
an organized and comprehensive review, the Committee continues to determine
priorities for access projects addressing site and facility accessibility issues
and barrier removal.
UAC's ongoing
efforts will continue to ensure that Penn State facilities throughout the Commonwealth
support program access.
Anyone seeking
more information about Penn States Commitment to Accessibility for individuals
with disabilities may contact the universities Affirmative Action Office, 328
Boucke Building at 814-863-0471 v/tty. For information regarding facilities
access contact Facilities Resources and Space Management at 814-865-8157.
Graham B. Spanier
The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 requires that no qualified
individual with a disability shall, on the basis of that disability, be excluded
from participating in or be denied the benefits of the programs, services, or
use of facilities or be subject to any discrimination. This is a continuation
of University efforts under the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, Section 504.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
The Office for Disability Services
is the designated office that provides services to students with disabilities
who are enrolled at the University Park location.
At every Penn State
location, there is an office designated to provide services for students with
disabilities. Each designated office obtains and files disability-related documents,
certifies eligibility for services, determines reasonable accommodations, and
develops plans for the provision of such academic adjustments and accommodations.
The Office
for Disability Services
The Pennsylvania State University
116 Boucke Building
University Park PA, 16802
FACULTY/STAFF WITH DISABILITIES:
The Affirmative Action Office
has responsibilities in four major areas relating to disabilities:
- coordinating
the reasonable accommodation process for faculty and staff
- resolving
complaints of discrimination
- compliance
with laws and regulations
- providing
educational programming and information.
The Affirmative
Action Office responds to three types of complaints of illegal discrimination
as they relate to disability issues:
- Informal
complaints/inquiries - complaints or requests for information that result
in informal discussions with complainants, or negotiation/mediation of a resolution.
- Internal complaints -
complaints filed with the Affirmative Action Office, possibly requiring
formal investigations, and resulting in findings and recommendations.
- External complaints -
complaints filed with state or federal agencies. In these cases the Affirmative
Action Office coordinates the University's response.
For more information
on ADA, please contact:
Bill
Ritzman, Coordinator
ADA Programs
Or visit the Affirmative
Action Website
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